Theodore Roosevelt Grieved in Dark Harbor on Islesboro, Maine

Marine Museum at Grindle Point, where the Islesboro Ferry,

"Margaret Chase Smith" arrives in Islesboro, twenty minutes
after departing Lincolnville (ME). PWM image 10-7-2015

      New in 2022 - First Post for the Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail June 16, 2022

      First Look at Logo - "My Debt To Maine" - Logo - Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail 6-15-22

     Day two of my impromptu trip into northern and eastern Maine, to investigate a couple of towns that Theodore Roosevelt visited, had me returning to Islesboro for the first time since early in May of 1975. When I first heard of TR's visit to Dark Harbor in Islesboro, specifically to mourn the death of his youngest son Quentin, it made me shiver a bit. I learned of TR's visit to Dark Harbor from author Chip Bishop.

     Chip is the author of the 2014 book, Quentin & Flora: A Roosevelt and a Vanderbilt in Love during the Great War. In mid-July, 2015, Chip and his lovely wife, Jane, and I were visiting during a National Park Service event for the reopening of Sagamore Hill, in Oyster Bay, NY. Chip mentioned TR's Dark Harbor visit to me in preparation for his (Chip's) book talk and signing at the Teddy Roosevelt Days event at Seashore Trolley Museum, in Kennebunkport, ME, on July 31, 2015. Chip's comments included the fact that Theodore's wife, Edith, made arrangements through their daughter, Ethel (Derby) for the Roosevelts to be guests in Dark Harbor, following the death of Roosevelt's son, Quentin. Chip's book details, on pages 190-191, Roosevelt's stay at the Derby cottage from late July until August 10, 1918, as they grieved the loss of their son to an aerial battle over France during WW I.

Could it be any more beautiful! Looking out from the ferry,

"Margaret Chase Smith", as we approach Islesboro.

PWM image 10-7-2015

This rose painted on the ferry, "Margaret Chase Smith",
depicts the distinguished senator's fresh red rose
that was a daily fixture on her attire.
PWM image 10-7-2015

The weather and the view on this fall day were spectacular as the ferry made its way to the island.

Alice L. Pendleton Library, Islesboro, Maine

PWM image 10-7-2015

     I was fortunate that the library in Islesboro is open from 10 until Noon on Wednesdays.

Library Director Linda Graf was very helpful to me. She used a book to help find some background information on Roosevelt's visit to Dark Harbor. I was able to purchase a copy of the book. The Summer Cottages of Islesboro: 1890-1930, by Earle G. Shuttleworth, Jr. This 1989 publication was printed for the Islesboro Historical Society.

Summer Cottages of Islesboro: 1890-1930,
by Earle G. Shuttleworth, Jr., 1989
PWM image 10-10-2015

     Chip Bishop's 2014 book, Quentin & Flora: A Roosevelt and a Vanderbilt in Love during the Great War explains that Theodore Roosevelt's daughter, Ethel was married to Dr. Richard Derby. Dr. Derby's family owned a cottage on Islesboro in Dark Harbor, overlooking Penobscot Bay. The Summer Cottages of Islesboro book provides a very nice description, with images, of the Derby cottage on pages. 42-43.

Heading to Dark Harbor on Islesboro. - PWM image 10-7-2015

The Dark Harbor, Islesboro, Maine - PWM image 10-7-2015

     As I motored around the island and the Dark Harbor area, gazing at the beauty of the landscape and seascape, Chip Bishop's words of Theodore expressing his sorrow and loss of his son, Quentin, and for the loss of the opportunity for Quentin to have married and perhaps have a family of his own came to mind. Having two sons of my own, made it a sobering thought for me.

Approaching the ferry entrance at Grindle Point, Islesboro, Maine

PWM image 10-7-2015

Marine Museum at Grindle Point where the ferry service to
Lincolnville departs/arrives in Islesboro, Maine.
PWM image 10-7-2015

From the ferry, "Margaret Chase Smith", shortly after
departing the ferry terminal at Grindle Point, Islesboro, Maine.
PWM image 10-7-2015

     A beautiful day in a beautiful place. A place that has brought more insight to me as I continue to learn about Theodore Roosevelt and his connections to Maine and the importance of those connections to him in his life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We continue the restoration work on the 1912, Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including; time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents captivates, fascinates, then generates, interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalition of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

     The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

Independent book publisher, Phil Morse, holding

the Gold Book Award Winner plaque for

 the Middle Reader category for The Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author,

Jean M. Flahive